Having looked after women of all ages as a Gynaecologist, GP & BMS Menopause Specialist for nearly 30 years, articles like the one above come as a huge disappointment. We have struggled since 2003 when flawed studies like the Women’s Health Initiative and the Million Women Study scarred the face of hormone replacement research. The rhetoric must change, and we need to talk about integrative medicine using the best evidence of conventional medicine together with diet and lifestyle to work on preventing physiological conditions from becoming pathological issues. The Lancet editorial is hypo ..read more

“It was my husband who inspired me to visit the local lido this summer. He had come across an article extolling the health benefits of outdoor swimming. I’ve always been apprehensive about public pools; they seem fine when you’re on a relaxed holiday with the added confidence of a tan, or if you’re at a private villa. But the idea of undressing in front of strangers has always been daunting. And isn’t the water in those pools quite chilly? This patient had faced challenges with her body image since motherhood, making it increasingly difficult to engage in regular exercise. As she entered her 4 ..read more

Helen is 43. Her story is sadly all too familiar. At the end of 2019, after months of struggling to focus at work and losing all confidence in her ability to juggle the demands of being a senior manager, a mother of two and a wife, she had booked an appointment with her GP. Were these the first signs of perimenopause? She was prescribed a course of low dose anti depressants, which should, she was told, relieve her symptoms of anxiety, sleeplessness, irritation and low self esteem. Diagnosed with mental health issues Helen found herself struggling even more at work and home as she tried to unde ..read more

If my 50-something-year-old body could speak to my 40-something-year-old body it would shout about lifestyle and diet being the two most important factors for dealing with the perimenopause, a time when I might be feeling anxious, a bit low, forgetful, have dry skin, uncomfortable sex, urinary infections and weight gain. These common symptoms are nature’s way of telling us that our ovaries are starting to prepare themselves for the menopause. Hormonal levels are changing, which impacts our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Some women experience no symptoms at all, while others find thi ..read more

Contrary to popular belief, HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) isn’t the culprit behind weight gain. Let’s clear up this misconception and dive into the actual details. As women approach and undergo perimenopause and menopause, the body’s production of the hormone oestrogen decreases. This is because the body anticipates a reduced need for it, given its primary role in reproduction. Meanwhile, this hormonal change can strain the adrenals, organs that play a significant role in fat metabolism. Your adrenals regulate cortisol levels, a hormone sourced from various processes within the body. When ..read more

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment designed to alleviate menopause symptoms caused by hormonal imbalances. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key aspects of HRT, including its benefits, potential risks, and the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before considering this treatment. What is Hormone Replacement Therapy ? Hormone Replacement Therapy, commonly known as HRT, is a medical intervention aimed at restoring hormonal balance in individuals experiencing deficiencies or imbalances in certain hormones like estrogen, progesterone, or tes ..read more

Supplements may not have the same effect on every woman as each person’s body is unique and may respond differently to supplementation. Factors such as age, health status, diet, lifestyle, and genetics can influence how supplements are absorbed and utilised in the body. For example, women who have nutrient deficiencies due to poor diet or underlying health conditions may experience more significant benefits from supplements than those who consume a healthy, balanced diet. Similarly, women who are experiencing hormonal imbalances may respond differently to supplements than those who have balanc ..read more

We all know about the damage that can be caused by Estrogen deficiency to the female body but do all clinicians know what damage the excess can do? I notice more and more in my practice that many clinicians ignore the fact that some women in their perimenopause/menopause are not Estrogen deficient in the first instance and their symptoms are often attributable to the relative excess. Something that is referred to as Estrogen Dominance.  Hence approaching these women with standard HRT therapy can very often worsen symptoms and pose unnecessary risks. When our hormones start to decline as ..read more

We all know about the damage that can be caused by Estrogen deficiency to the female body but do all clinicians know what damage the excess can do? I notice more and more in my practice that many clinicians ignore the fact that some women in their perimenopause/menopause are not Estrogen deficient in the first instance and their symptoms are often attributable to the relative excess. Something that is referred to as Estrogen Dominance.  Hence approaching these women with standard HRT therapy can very often worsen symptoms and pose unnecessary risks. When our hormones start to decline as ..read more

Misdiagnosis of the perimenopause is a huge concern to women and understandably so. During your 40s, major life events often overwhelm us, without considering the hormonal changes that are just beginning to challenge us every day. Your children have become teenagers and they need you almost more than when they were little: you have to guide them rather than bribe them, but with that come the heated debates, uncomfortable silences and challenging behaviours. You’re feeling jaded, faded and irritable. Chaos seems to rule your homelife and the workplace no longer feels like an escape or ..read more